Low dielectric glass and fiber glass

ABSTRACT

Glass compositions are provided that are useful in a variety of applications including, for example, electronics applications, reinforcement applications, and others. Some embodiments of glass compositions can provide desirable dielectric constants, desirable dissipation factors, and/or desirable mechanical properties while also having desirable fiber forming properties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/940,764, filed on Nov. 5, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/610,761, filed on Dec. 14, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,829,490, which issued Nov. 9, 2010, the contents of which are hereby herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to glass compositions that can be used, for example, to form glass fibers. Such glass fibers can be used in a wide variety of end-use applications.

For example, in some embodiments, glass fibers are adapted for formation into fibers that can be employed for reinforcing composite substrates comprising a printed circuit board (“PCB”). More particularly, some embodiments of the present invention relate to glass fiber reinforcements that have electrical properties that permit enhancing performance of a PCB.

“D_(k)” is the dielectric constant of a material, also known as “permittivity” and is a measure of the ability of a material to store electric energy. A material to be used as a capacitor desirably has a relatively high D_(k), whereas a material to be used as part of a PCB substrate desirably has a low D_(k), particularly for high speed circuits. D_(k) is the ratio of the charge that would be stored (i.e., the capacitance) of a given material between two metal plates to the amount of charge that would be stored by a void (air or vacuum) between the same two metal plates. “D_(f)” or dissipation factor is the measure of the loss of power in a dielectric material. D_(f) is the ratio of the resistive loss component of the current to the capacitive component of current, and is equal to the tangent of the loss angle. For high speed circuitry, it is desired that the D_(f) of materials comprising a PCB substrate be relatively low.

PCB's have commonly been reinforced with glass fibers of the “E-glass” family of compositions, which is based on “Standard Specification for Glass Fiber Strands” D 578 American Society for Testing and Materials. By this definition, E-glass for electronic applications contains 5 to 10 weight percent B₂O₃, which reflects recognition of the desirable effect of B₂O₃ on dielectric properties of glass compositions. E-glass fibers for electronic applications typically have D_(k) in the range 6.7-7.3 at 1 MHz frequency. Standard electronic E-glass is also formulated to provide melting and forming temperatures conducive to practical manufacturing. Forming temperatures (the temperature at which the viscosity is 1000 poise), also referred to herein as T_(F), for commercial electronic E-glass are typically in the range of 1170° C.-1250° C.

High performance printed circuit boards require substrate reinforcements having lower D_(k) compared to E-glass for better performance, i.e., less noise signal transmission, for applications in telecommunication and electronic computing. Optionally, reducing D_(f) relative to E-glass is also desired by the electronic industry. While the PCB industry has a need for low dielectric fiber glass, manufacture of glass fiber reinforcement requires economical viability issues to be addressed in order for low dielectric fibers to achieve successful commercialization. To this end, some low D_(k) glass compositions proposed in the prior art do not adequately address the economic issues.

Some low dielectric glasses in the prior art are characterized by high SiO₂ content or high B₂O₃ content, or a combination of both high SiO₂ and high B₂O₃. An example of the latter is known as “D-glass.” Detailed information on this approach to low D_(k) glass can be found in an article by L. Navias and R. L. Green, “Dielectric Properties of Glasses at Ultra-High Frequencies and their Relation to Composition,” J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 29, 267-276 (1946), in U.S. Patent Application 2003/0054936 A1 (S. Tamura), and in patent application JP 3409806 B2 (Y. Hirokazu). Fibers of SiO₂ and glasses of the D-glass type have been used as reinforcement in fabric form for PCB substrates, e.g., laminates comprised of woven fibers and epoxy resin. Although both of those approaches successfully provide low D_(k), sometimes as low as about 3.8 or 4.3, the high melting and forming temperatures of such compositions result in undesirably high costs for such fibers. D-glass fibers typically require forming temperatures in excess of 1400° C., and SiO₂ fibers entail forming temperatures on the order of about 2000° C. Furthermore, D-glass is characterized by high B₂O₃ content, as much as 20 weight percent or greater. Since B₂O₃ is one of the most costly raw materials required for manufacturing conventional electronic E-glass, the use of much greater amounts of B₂O₃ in D-glass significantly increases its cost compared to E-glass. Therefore, neither SiO₂ nor D-glass fibers provide a practical solution for manufacturing high performance PCB substrate materials on a large scale.

Other low dielectric fiber glasses based on high B₂O₃ concentrations (i.e., 11 to 25 weight percent) plus other relatively costly ingredients such as ZnO (up to 10 weight percent) and BaO (up to 10 weight percent) have been described in JP 3409806B2 (Hirokazu), with reported D_(k) values in the 4.8-5.6 range at 1 MHz. The inclusion of BaO in these compositions is problematic because of cost as well as environmental reasons. In spite of the high concentrations of the costly B₂O₃ in the compositions of this reference, the fiber forming temperatures disclosed are relatively high, e.g., 1355° C.-1429° C. Similarly, other low dielectric glasses based on high B₂O₃ concentrations (i.e., 14-20 weight percent) plus relatively costly TiO₂ (up to 5 weight percent) have been described in U.S. Patent Application 2003/0054936 A1 (Tamura), with D_(k)=4.6-4.8 and dissipation factor D_(f)=0.0007-0.001 at 1 MHz. In Japanese Patent Application JP 02154843A (Hiroshi et al.) there are disclosed boron-free low dielectric glasses with D_(k) in the range 5.2-5.3 at 1 MHz. Although these boron-free glasses provide low D_(k) with presumably relatively low raw material cost, their disadvantage is that fiber forming temperatures at 1000 poise melt viscosity are high, between 1376° C. and 1548° C. Additionally, these boron-free glasses have very narrow forming windows (the difference between the forming temperature and the liquidus temperature), typically 25° C. or lower (in some cases negative), whereas a window of about 55° C. or higher would commonly be considered expedient in the commercial fiber glass industry.

To improve PCB performance while managing the increase in cost, it would be advantageous to provide compositions for fiber glasses that offer significant improvements of electrical properties (D_(k) and/or D_(f)) relative to E-glass compositions, and at the same time provide practical forming temperatures lower than the SiO₂ and D-glass types and the other prior art approaches to low dielectric glass discussed above. To significantly lower raw material costs, it would be desirable to maintain B₂O₃ content less than that of D-glass, e.g., below 13 weight percent or below 12 percent. It can also be advantageous in some situations for the glass composition to fall within the ASTM definition of electronic E-glass, and thus to require no more than 10 weight percent B₂O₃. It would also be advantageous to manufacture low D_(k) glass fibers without requiring costly materials such as BaO or ZnO that are unconventional in the fiber glass industry. In addition, commercially practical glass compositions desirably have tolerance to impurities in raw materials, which also permits the use of less costly batch materials.

Since an important function of glass fiber in PCB composites is to provide mechanical strength, improvements in electrical properties would best be achieved without significantly sacrificing glass fiber strength. Glass fiber strength can be expressed in terms of Young's modulus or pristine tensile strength. It would also be desirable if new low dielectric fiber glass solutions would be used to make PCB without requiring major changes in the resins used, or at least without requiring substantially more costly resins, as would be required by some alternative approaches.

In some embodiments, glass compositions of the present invention are adapted for formation into fibers that can be used in the reinforcement of other polymeric resins in a variety of other end-use applications including, without limitation, aerospace, aviation, wind energy, laminates, radome, and other applications. In such applications, electrical properties, such as those discussed above, may or may not be important. In some applications, other properties, such as specific strength or specific modulus or weight, may be important. In some embodiments, the glass fibers may be first arranged into a fabric. In some embodiments, glass fibers of the present invention can be provided in other forms including, for example and without limitation, as chopped strands (dry or wet), yarns, wovings, prepregs, etc. In short, various embodiments of the glass compositions (and any fibers formed therefrom) can be used in a variety of applications.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to glass compositions and to glass fibers formed from glass compositions. In some embodiments, glass fibers can be used in a number of applications including electrical applications (e.g., printed circuit boards) and reinforcement applications (e.g., fiber glass reinforced composites that can be used in a variety of applications). In some embodiments, fiberizable glass compositions of the present invention can provide improved electrical performance (i.e., low D_(k) and/or low D_(f)) relative to standard E-glass, while providing temperature-viscosity relationships that are more conducive to commercially practical fiber forming than prior art low D_(k) glass proposals. Some embodiments of glass compositions or glass fibers of the present invention can be made commercially with relatively low raw material batch cost. In some embodiments, glass fibers of the present invention can provide desirable and/or commercially acceptable mechanical properties.

In another aspect of the invention, glass compositions can comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ 53.5-77 weight percent; B₂O₃ 4.5-14.5 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 4.5-18.5 weight percent; MgO 4-12.5 weight percent; CaO 0-10.5 weight percent; Li₂O 0-4 weight percent; Na₂O 0-2 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-2 weight percent; TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent; and other constituents 0-5 weight percent total.

In another aspect of the invention, glass compositions can comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ 60-77 weight percent; B₂O₃ 4.5-14.5 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 4.5-18.5 weight percent; MgO 8-12.5 weight percent; CaO 0-4 weight percent; Li₂O 0-3 weight percent; Na₂O 0-2 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-2 weight percent; TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent; and other constituents 0-5 weight percent total.

In one aspect of the invention, glass compositions can comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ 60-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 7-13 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 9-15 weight percent; MgO 8-15 weight percent; CaO 0-4 weight percent; Li₂O 0-2 weight percent; Na₂O 0-1 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-1 weight percent; and TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent.

In another aspect of the invention, glass compositions can comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ at least 60 weight percent; B₂O₃ 5-11 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 5-18 weight percent; MgO 5-12 weight percent; CaO 0-10 weight percent; Li₂O 0-3 weight percent; Na₂O 0-2 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-2 weight percent; TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent; and other constituents 0-5 weight percent total.

In another aspect of the invention, glass compositions can comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ 60-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 5-10 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 10-18 weight percent; MgO 8-12 weight percent; CaO 0-4 weight percent; Li₂O 0-3 weight percent; Na₂O 0-2 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-2 weight percent; TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent; and other constituents 0-5 weight percent total.

In another aspect of the invention, glass compositions can comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ 62-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 7-9 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 11-18 weight percent; MgO 8-11 weight percent; CaO 1-2 weight percent; Li₂O 1-2 weight percent; Na₂O 0-0.5 weight percent; K₂O 0-0.5 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-0.5 weight percent; F₂ 0.5-1 weight percent; TiO₂ 0-1 weight percent; and other constituents 0-5 weight percent total.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are characterized by relatively low content of CaO, for example, on the order of about 0-4 weight percent. In yet other embodiments, the CaO content can be on the order of about 0-3 weight percent. In yet other embodiments, the CaO content can be on the order of about 0-2 weight percent. In general, minimizing the CaO content yields improvements in electrical properties, and the CaO content has been reduced to such low levels in some embodiments that it can be considered an optional constituent. In some other embodiments, the CaO content can be on the order of about 1-2 weight percent.

On the other hand, the MgO content is relatively high for glasses of this type, wherein in some embodiments the MgO content is double that of the CaO content (on a weight percent basis). Some embodiments of the invention can have MgO content greater than about 5.0 weight percent, and in other embodiments the MgO content can be greater than 8.0 weight percent. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are characterized by a MgO content, for example, on the order of about 8-13 weight percent. In yet other embodiments, the MgO content can be on the order of about 9-12 weight percent. In some other embodiments, the MgO content can be on the order of about 8-12 weight percent. In yet some other embodiments, the MgO content can be on the order of about 8-10 weight percent.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are characterized by a (MgO+CaO) content, for example, that is less than 16 weight percent. In yet other embodiments, the (MgO+CaO) content is less than 13 weight percent. In some other embodiments, the (MgO+CaO) content is 7-16 weight percent. In yet some other embodiments, the (MgO+CaO) content can be on the order of about 10-13 weight percent.

In yet some other embodiments, the compositions of the invention are characterized by a ratio of (MgO+CaO)/(Li₂O+Na₂O+K₂O) content can be on the order of about 9.0. In certain embodiments, the ratio of Li₂O/(MgO+CaO) content can be on the order of about 0-2.0. In yet some other embodiments, the ratio of Li₂O/(MgO+CaO) content can be on the order of about 1-2.0. In certain embodiments, the ratio of Li₂O/(MgO+CaO) content can be on the order of about 1.0.

In some other embodiments, the (SiO₂+B₂O₃) content can be on the order of 70-76 weight percent. In yet other embodiments, the (SiO₂+B₂O₃) content can be on the order of 70 weight percent. In other embodiments, the (SiO₂+B₂O₃) content can be on the order of 73 weight percent. In still other embodiments, the ratio of the weight percent of Al₂O₃ to the weigh percent of B₂O₃ is on the order of 1-3. In some other embodiments, the ratio of the weight percent of Al₂O₃ to the weigh percent of B₂O₃ is on the order of 1.5-2.5. In certain embodiments, the SiO₂ content is on the order of 65-68 weight percent.

As noted above, some low D_(k) compositions of the prior art have the disadvantage of requiring the inclusion of substantial amounts of BaO, and it can be noted that BaO is not required in the glass compositions of the present invention. Although the advantageous electrical and manufacturing properties of the invention do not preclude the presence of BaO, the absence of deliberate inclusions of BaO can be considered an additional advantage of some embodiments of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention can be characterized by the presence of less than 1.0 weight percent BaO. In those embodiments in which only trace impurity amounts are present, the BaO content can be characterized as being no more than 0.05 weight percent.

The compositions of the invention include B₂O₃ in amounts less that the prior art approaches that rely upon high B₂O₃ to achieve low D_(k). This results in significant cost savings. In some embodiments the B₂O₃ content need be no more than 13 weight percent, or no more than 12 weight percent. Some embodiments of the invention also fall within the ASTM definition of electronic E-glass, i.e., no more than 10 weight percent B₂O₃.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are characterized by a B₂O₃ content, for example, on the order of about 5-11 weight percent. In some embodiments, the B₂O₃ content can be 6-11 weight percent. The B₂O₃ content, in some embodiments, can be 6-9 weight percent. In some embodiments, the B₂O₃ content can be 5-10 weight percent. In some other embodiments, the B₂O₃ content is not greater than 9 weight percent. In yet some other embodiments, the B₂O₃ content is not greater than 8 weight percent.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are characterized by a Al₂O₃ content, for example on the order of about 5-18 weight percent. The Al₂O₃ content, in some embodiments, can be 9-18 weight percent. In yet other embodiments, the Al₂O₃ content is on the order of about 10-18 weight percent. In some other embodiments, the Al₂O₃ content is on the order of about 10-16 weight percent. In yet some other embodiments, the Al₂O₃ content is on the order of about 10-14 weight percent. In certain embodiments, the Al₂O₃ content is on the order of about 11-14 weight percent.

In some embodiments, Li₂O is an optional constituent. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are characterized by a Li₂O content, for example on the order of about 0.4-2.0 weight percent. In some embodiments, the Li₂O content is greater than the (Na₂O+K₂O) content. In some embodiments, the (Li₂O+Na₂O+K₂O) content is not greater than 2 weight percent. In some embodiments, the (Li₂O+Na₂O+K₂O) content is on the order of about 1-2 weight percent.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention are characterized by a TiO₂ content for example on the order of about 0-1 weight percent.

In the composition set forth above, the constituents are proportioned so as to yield a glass having a dielectric constant lower than that of standard E-glass. With reference to a standard electronic E-glass for comparison, this may be less than about 6.7 at 1 MHz frequency. In other embodiments, the dielectric constant (D_(k)) may be less than 6 at 1 MHz frequency. In other embodiments, the dielectric constant (D_(k)) may be less than 5.8 at 1 MHz frequency. Further embodiments exhibit dielectric constants (D_(k)) less than 5.6 or even lower at 1 MHz frequency. In other embodiments, the dielectric constant (D_(k)) may be less than 5.4 at 1 MHz frequency. In yet other embodiments, the dielectric constant (D_(k)) may be less than 5.2 at 1 MHz frequency. In yet other embodiments, the dielectric constant (D_(k)) may be less than 5.0 at 1 MHz frequency.

The compositions set forth above possess desirable temperature-viscosity relationships conducive to practical commercial manufacture of glass fibers. In general, lower temperatures are required for making fibers compared to the D-glass type of composition in the prior art. The desirable characteristics may be expressed in a number of ways, and they may be attained by the compositions of the present invention singly or in combination. In general, glass compositions within the ranges set forth above can be made that exhibit forming temperatures (T_(F)) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1370° C. The T_(F) of some embodiments are no greater than 1320° C., or no greater than 1300° C., or no greater than 1290° C., or no greater than 1260° C., or no greater than 1250° C. These compositions also encompass glasses in which the difference between the forming temperature and the liquidus temperature (T_(L)) is positive, and in some embodiments the forming temperature is at least 55° C. greater than the liquidus temperature, which is advantageous for commercial manufacturing of fibers from these glass compositions.

In general, minimizing alkali oxide content of the glass compositions assists lowering D_(k). In those embodiments in which it is desired to optimize reduction of D_(k) the total alkali oxide content is no more than 2 weight percent of the glass composition. In compositions of the present invention it has been found that minimizing Na₂O and K₂O are more effective in this regard than Li₂O. The presence of alkali oxides generally results in lower forming temperatures. Therefore, in those embodiments of the invention in which providing relatively low forming temperatures is a priority, Li₂O is included in significant amounts, e.g. at least 0.4 weight percent. For this purpose, in some embodiments the Li₂O content is greater than either the Na₂O or K₂O contents, and in other embodiments the Li₂O content is greater than the sum of the Na₂O and K₂O contents, in some embodiments greater by a factor of two or more.

In some embodiments, glass compositions suitable for fiber forming may comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ 62-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ less than about 9 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 10-18 weight percent; MgO 8-12 weight percent; and CaO 0-4 weight percent; wherein the glass exhibits a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 6.7 and a forming temperature (T_(F)) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1370° C.

In some embodiments of the invention, the glass compositions may comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

B₂O₃ less than 14 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 9-15 weight percent; MgO 8-15 weight percent; CaO 0-4 weight percent; and SiO₂ 60-68 weight percent; wherein the glass exhibits a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 6.7 and forming temperature (T_(F)) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1370° C.

In some other embodiments of the invention, the glass compositions may comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

B₂O₃ less than 9 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 11-18 weight percent; MgO 8-11 weight percent; CaO 1-2 weight percent; and SiO₂ 62-68 weight percent; wherein the glass exhibits a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 6.7 and forming temperature (T_(F)) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1370° C.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the glass compositions may comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ 60-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 7-13 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 9-15 weight percent; MgO 8-15 weight percent; CaO 0-3 weight percent; Li₂O 0.4-2 weight percent; Na₂O 0-1 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-1 weight percent; and TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent; wherein the glass exhibits a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 5.9 and forming temperature (T_(F)) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1300° C.

In some embodiments of the invention, the glass compositions comprise the following constituents, which may be in the form of glass fibers:

SiO₂ 60-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 7-11 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 9-13 weight percent; MgO 8-13 weight percent; CaO 0-3 weight percent; Li₂O 0.4-2 weight percent; Na₂O 0-1 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; (Na₂O + K₂O + Li₂O) 0-2 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-1 weight percent; and TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent.

In addition to or instead of the features of the invention described above, some embodiments of the compositions of the present invention can be utilized to provide glasses having dissipation factors (D_(f)) lower than standard electronic E-glass. In some embodiments, D_(F) may be no more than 0.0150 at 1 GHz, and in other embodiments no more than 0.0100 at 1 GHz.

In some embodiments of glass compositions, D_(F) is no more than 0.007 at 1 GHz, and in other embodiments no more than 0.003 at 1 GHz, and in yet other embodiments no more than 0.002 at 1 GHz.

One advantageous aspect of the invention present in some of the embodiments is reliance upon constituents that are conventional in the fiber glass industry and avoidance of substantial amounts of constituents whose raw material sources are costly. For this aspect of the invention, constituents in addition to those explicitly set forth in the compositional definition of the glasses of the present invention may be included even though not required, but in total amounts no greater than 5 weight percent. These optional constituents include melting aids, fining aids, colorants, trace impurities and other additives known to those of skill in glassmaking. Relative to some prior art low D_(k) glasses, no BaO is required in the compositions of the present invention, but inclusion of minor amounts of BaO (e.g., up to about 1 weight percent) would not be precluded. Likewise, major amounts of ZnO are not required in the present invention, but in some embodiments minor amounts (e.g., up to about 2.0 weight percent) may be included. In those embodiments of the invention in which optional constituents are minimized, the total of optional constituents is no more than 2 weight percent, or no more than 1 weight percent. Alternatively, some embodiments of the invention can be said to consist essentially of the named constituents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To lower D_(k) and D_(f), including SiO₂ and B₂O₃, which have low electrical polarizability, is useful in the compositions of the present invention. Although B₂O₃ by itself can be melted at a low temperature (350° C.), it is not stable against moisture attack in ambient air and hence, a fiber of pure B₂O₃ is not practical for use in PCB laminates. Both SiO₂ and B₂O₃ are network formers, and the mixture of two would result in significantly higher fiber forming temperature than E-glass, as is the case with D-glass. To lower fiber-forming temperature, MgO and Al₂O₃ are included, replacing some of the SiO₂. Calcium oxide (CaO) and SrO can be also used in combination with MgO, although they are less desirable than MgO because both have higher polarizability than MgO.

To lower batch cost, B₂O₃ is utilized at lower concentrations than in D-glass. However, sufficient B₂O₃ is included to prevent phase separation in glass melts, thereby providing better mechanical properties for glass fibers made from the compositions.

The choice of batch ingredients and their cost are significantly dependent upon their purity requirements. Typical commercial ingredients, such as for E-glass making, contain impurities of Na₂O, K₂O, Fe₂O₃ or FeO, SrO, F₂, TiO₂, SO₃, etc. in various chemical forms. A majority of the cations from these impurities would increase the D_(k) of the glasses by forming nonbridging oxygens with SiO₂ and/or B₂O₃ in the glass.

Sulfate (expressed as SO₃) may also be present as a refining agent. Small amounts of impurities may also be present from raw materials or from contamination during the melting processes, such as SrO, BaO, Cl₂, P₂O₅, Cr₂O₃, or NiO (not limited to these particular chemical forms). Other refining agents and/or processing aids may also be present such as As₂O₃, MnO, MnO₂, Sb₂O₃, or SnO₂, (not limited to these particular chemical forms). These impurities and refining agents, when present, are each typically present in amounts less than 0.5% by weight of the total glass composition. Optionally, elements from rare earth group of the Periodic Table of the Elements may be added to compositions of the present invention, including atomic numbers 21 (Sc), 39 (Y), and 57 (La) through 71 (Lu). These may serve as either processing aids or to improve the electrical, physical (thermal and optical), mechanical, and chemical properties of the glasses. The rare earth additives may be included with regard for the original chemical forms and oxidization states. Adding rare earth elements is considered optional, particularly in those embodiments of the present invention having the objective of minimizing raw material cost, because they would increase batch costs even at low concentrations. In any case, their costs would typically dictate that the rare earth components (measured as oxides), when included, be present in amounts no greater than about 0.1-1.0% by weight of the total glass composition.

The invention will be illustrated through the following series of specific embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that many other embodiments are contemplated by the principles of the invention.

The glasses in these examples were made by melting mixtures of reagent grade chemicals in powder form in 10% Rh/Pt crucibles at the temperatures between 1500° C. and 1550° C. (2732° F.-2822° F.) for four hours. Each batch was about 1200 grams. After the 4-hour melting period, the molten glass was poured onto a steel plate for quenching. To compensate volatility loss of B₂O₃ (typically about 5% of the total target B₂O₃ concentration in laboratory batch melting condition for the 1200 gram batch size), the boron retention factor in the batch calculation was set at 95%. Other volatile species, such as fluoride and alkali oxides, were not adjusted in the batches for their emission loss because of their low concentrations in the glasses. The compositions in the examples represent as-batched compositions. Since reagent chemicals were used in preparing the glasses with an adequate adjustment of B₂O₃, the as-batched compositions illustrated in the invention are considered to be close to the measured compositions.

Melt viscosity as a function of temperature and liquidus temperature were determined by using ASTM Test Method C965 “Standard Practice for Measuring Viscosity of Glass Above the Softening Point,” and C829 “Standard Practices for Measurement of Liquidus Temperature of Glass by the Gradient Furnace Method,” respectively.

A polished disk of each glass sample with 40 mm diameter and 1-1.5 mm thickness was used for electrical property and mechanical property measurements, which were made from annealed glasses. Dielectric constant (D_(k)) and dissipation factor (D_(f)) of each glass were determined from 1 MHz to 1 GHz by ASTM Test Method D150 “Standard Test Methods for A-C Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials.” According to the procedure, all samples were preconditioned at 25° C. under 50% humidity for 40 hours. Selective tests were performed for glass density using ASTM Test Method C729 “Standard Test Method for Density of Glass by the Sink-Float Comparator,” for which all samples were annealed.

For selected compositions, a microindentation method was used to determine Young's modulus (from the initial slope of the curve of indentation loading−indentation depth, in the indenter unloading cycle), and microhardness (from the maximum indentation load and the maximum indentation depth). For the tests, the same disk samples, which had been tested for D_(k) and D_(f), were used. Five indentation measurements were made to obtain average Young's modulus and microhardness data. The microindentation apparatus was calibrated using a commercial standard reference glass block with a product name BK7. The reference glass has Young's modulus 90.1 GPa with one standard deviation of 0.26 GPa and microhardness 4.1 GPa with one standard deviation of 0.02 GPa, all of which were based on five measurements.

All compositional values in the examples are expressed in weight percent.

Table 1 Compositions

Examples 1-8 provide glass compositions (Table 1) by weight percentage: SiO₂ 62.5-67.5%, B₂O₃ 8.4-9.4%, Al₂O₃ 10.3-16.0%, MgO 6.5-11.1%, CaO 1.5-5.2%, Li₂O 1.0%, Na₂O 0.0%, K₂O 0.8%, Fe₂O₃ 0.2-0.8%, F₂ 0.0%, TiO₂ 0.0%, and sulfate (expressed as SO₃) 0.0%.

The glasses were found to have D_(k) of 5.44-5.67 and Df of 0.0006-0.0031 at 1 MHz, and D_(k) of 5.47-6.67 and D_(f) of 0.0048-0.0077 at 1 GHz frequency. The electric properties of the compositions in Series III illustrate significantly lower (i.e., improved) D_(k) and D_(f) over standard E-glass with D_(k) of 7.29 and D_(f) of 0.003 at 1 MHz and D_(k) of 7.14 and D_(f) of 0.0168 at 1 GHz.

In terms of fiber forming properties, the compositions in Table 1 have forming temperatures (T_(F)) of 1300-1372° C. and forming windows (T_(F)−T_(L)) of 89-222° C. This can be compared to a standard E-glass which has T_(F) typically in the range 1170-1215° C. To prevent glass devitrification in fiber forming, a forming window (T_(F)−T_(L)) greater than 55° C. is desirable. All of the compositions in Table 1 exhibit satisfactory forming windows. Although the compositions of Table 1 have higher forming temperatures than E-glass, they have significantly lower forming temperatures than D-glass (typically about 1410° C.).

TABLE 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Al₂O₃ 11.02 9.45 11.64 12.71 15.95 10.38 10.37 11.21 B₂O₃ 8.55 8.64 8.58 8.56 8.46 8.71 9.87 9.28 CaO 5.10 5.15 3.27 2.48 1.50 2.95 2.01 1.54 CoO 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.62 Fe₂O₃ 0.39 0.40 0.39 0.39 0.39 0.53 0.80 0.27 K₂O 0.77 0.78 0.77 0.77 0.76 0.79 0.79 0.78 Li₂O 0.98 0.99 0.98 0.98 0.97 1.00 1.00 1.00 MgO 6.70 7.44 8.04 8.69 9.24 10.39 11.05 11.04 SiO₂ 66.48 67.16 66.32 65.42 62.72 65.26 64.12 64.26 Properties D_(k), 1 MHz 5.62 5.59 5.44 5.47 5.50 5.67 5.57 5.50 D_(k), 1 GHz 5.65 5.62 5.46 5.47 5.53 5.67 5.56 5.50 D_(f), 1 MHz 0.0010 0.0006 0.0016 0.0008 0.0020 0.0031 0.0012 0.0010 D_(f), 1 GHz 0.0048 0.0059 0.0055 0.0051 0.0077 0.0051 0.0053 0.0049 T_(L) (° C.) 1209 1228 1215 1180 1143 1219 1211 1213 T_(F) (° C.) 1370 1353 1360 1372 1365 1319 1300 1316 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 161 125 145 192 222 100 89 103

Table 2 Compositions

Examples 9-15 provide glass compositions: SiO₂ 60.8-68.0%, B₂O₃ 8.6 and 11.0%, Al₂O₃ 8.7-12.2%, MgO 9.5-12.5%, CaO 1.0-3.0%, Li₂O 0.5-1.5%, Na₂O 0.5%, K₂O 0.8%, Fe₂O₃ 0.4%, F₂ 0.3%, TiO₂ 0.2%, and sulfate (expressed as SO₃) 0.0%.

The glasses were found to have D_(k) of 5.55-5.95 and D_(f) of 0.0002-0.0013 at 1 MHz, and D_(k) of 5.54-5.94 and D_(f) of 0.0040-0.0058 at 1 GHz frequency. The electric properties of the compositions in Table 2 illustrate significantly lower (improved) D_(k) and D_(f) over standard E-glass with D_(k) of 7.29 and D_(f) of 0.003 at 1 MHz, and D_(k) of 7.14 and D_(f) of 0.0168 at 1 GHz.

In terms of mechanical properties, the compositions of Table 2 have Young's modulus of 86.5-91.5 GPa and microhardness of 4.0-4.2 GPa, both of which are equal or higher than standard E glass that has Young's modulus of 85.9 GPa and microhardness of 3.8 GPa. The Young's moduli of the compositions in the Table 2 are also significantly higher than D-glass which is about 55 GPa based on literature data.

In terms of fiber forming properties, the compositions of Table 2 have forming temperature (T_(F)) of 1224-1365° C., and forming windows (T_(F)−T_(L)) of 6-105° C. as compared to standard E-glass having T_(F) in the range 1170-1215° C. Some, but not all, of the Table 2 compositions have a forming window (T_(F)−T_(L)) greater than 55° C., which is considered preferable in some circumstances to avoid glass devitrification in commercial fiber forming operations. The Table 2 compositions have lower forming temperatures than those of D-glass (1410° C.), although higher than E-glass.

TABLE 2 EXAMPLE: 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Al₂O₃ 12.02 11.88 10.41 12.08 12.18 8.76 12.04 B₂O₃ 10.98 10.86 9.90 8.71 8.79 8.79 8.68 CaO 1.07 2.90 2.02 2.95 1.09 1.09 2.94 F₂ 0.32 0.31 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.32 Fe₂O₃ 0.40 0.39 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 K₂O 0.78 0.77 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.78 Li₂O 0.50 0.49 1.00 0.50 1.51 1.51 1.49 MgO 12.35 9.56 11.10 12.41 12.51 9.81 9.69 Na₂O 0.51 0.51 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 SiO₂ 60.87 62.13 63.35 61.14 61.68 67.80 62.95 TiO₂ 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 Properties D_(k), 1 MHz 5.69 5.55 5.74 5.84 5.95 5.60 5.88 D_(k), 1 GHz 5.65 5.54 5.71 5.83 5.94 5.55 5.86 D_(f), 1 MHz 0.0007 0.0013 0.0007 0.0006 0.0002 0.0002 0.0011 D_(f), 1 GHz 0.0042 0.0040 0.0058 0.0043 0.0048 0.0045 0.0053 T_(L) (° C.) 1214 1209 1232 1246 1248 1263 1215 T_(F) (° C.) 1288 1314 1287 1277 1254 1365 1285 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 74 105 55 31 6 102 70 E (GPa) 90.5 87.4 86.8 86.5 89.6 87.2 91.5 H (GPa) 4.12 4.02 4.02 4.03 4.14 4.07 4.19

TABLE 3 EXAMPLES: 16 17 18 19 20 Al₂O₃ 10.37 11.58 8.41 11.58 12.05 B₂O₃ 8.71 10.93 10.66 8.98 8.69 CaO 2.01 2.63 3.02 1.78 2.12 F₂ 0.32 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 Fe₂O₃ 0.40 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 K₂O 0.79 0.25 0.25 0.16 0.10 Li₂O 0.50 1.21 1.53 0.59 1.40 MgO 11.06 10.04 9.65 11.65 10.57 Na₂O 0.52 0.25 0.57 0.35 0.15 SiO₂ 65.13 62.55 65.35 64.35 64.35 TiO₂ 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 D_(k), 1 MHz 5.43 5.57 5.30 5.42 D_(k), 1 GHz 5.33 5.48 5.22 5.33 D_(f), 1 MHz 0.0057 0.0033 0.0031 0.0051 D_(f), 1 GHz 0.0003 0.0001 0.0008 0.0014 T_(L) (° C.) 1231 1161 1196 1254 1193 T_(F) (° C.) 1327 1262 1254 1312 1299 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 96 101 58 58 106 T_(M) (° C.) 1703 1592 1641 1634 1633 E (GPa) 85.3 86.1 85.7 91.8 89.5 Std E (GPa) 0.4 0.6 2.5 1.7 1.5 H (GPa) 3.99 4.00 4.03 4.22 4.13 Std H (GPa) 0.01 0.02 0.09 0.08 0.05 EXAMPLES: 21 22 23 24 25 26 Al₂O₃ 12.04 12.04 12.04 12.04 12.04 12.54 B₂O₃ 8.65 8.69 10.73 10.73 11.07 8.73 CaO 2.06 2.98 2.98 2.98 2.98 2.88 F₂ 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 2.00 Fe₂O₃ 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 K₂O 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.40 Li₂O 1.53 1.05 1.05 0.59 0.48 MgO 10.47 10.62 9.97 11.26 11.26 11.26 Na₂O 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.50 SiO₂ 63.05 62.42 61.03 60.2 59.97 61.34 TiO₂ 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 D_(k), 1 MHz 5.75 5.73 5.61 5.64 5.63 5.35 D_(k), 1 GHz 5.68 5.61 5.55 5.54 5.49 5.38 D_(f), 1 MHz 0.004 0.0058 0.0020 0.0046 0.0040 0.0063 D_(f), 1 GHz 0.0021 0.0024 0.0034 0.0019 0.0023 0.0001 T_(L) (° C.) 1185 1191 1141 1171 1149 1227 T_(F) (° C.) 1256 1258 1244 1246 1249 1301 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 71 67 103 75 100 T_(M) (° C.) 1587 1581 1587 1548 1553 E (GPa) Std E (GPa) H (GPa) Std H (GPa) σ_(f) (KPSI/GPa) 475.7/3.28 520.9/3.59 466.5/3.22 522.0 Std σ_(f)  37.3/0.26  18.3/0.13  41.8/0.29 18.70 (KPSI/GPa) Density (g/cm³) 2.4209* 2.4324* 2.4348*

TABLE 4 EXAMPLE: 27 28 E-Glass Al₂O₃ 12.42 12.57 13.98 B₂O₃ 9.59 8.59 5.91 CaO 0.11 0.10 22.95 F₂ 0.35 0.26 0.71 Fe₂O₃ 0.21 0.21 0.36 K₂O 0.18 0.18 0.11 Li₂O 0.80 1.01 0 MgO 10.25 10.41 0.74 Na₂O 0.15 0.18 0.89 SiO₂ 65.47 65.96 54.15 TiO₂ 0.17 0.17 0.07 D_(k), 1 MHz 5.3 5.4 7.3 D_(k), 1 GHz 5.3 5.4 7.1 D_(f), 1 MHz 0.003 0.008 D_(f), 1 GHz 0.011 0.012 0.0168 T_(L) (° C.) 1184 1201 1079 T_(F) (° C.) 1269 1282 1173 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 85 81 94 E (GPa) H (GPa) 3.195 3.694

Examples 29-62 provide glass compositions (Table 5) by weight percentage: SiO₂ 53.74-76.97%, B₂O₃ 4.47-14.28%, Al₂O₃ 4.63-15.44%, MgO 4.20-12.16%, CaO 1.04-10.15%, Li₂O 0.0-3.2%, Na₂O 0.0-1.61%, K₂O 0.01-0.05%, Fe₂O₃ 0.06-0.35%, F₂ 0.49-1.48%, TiO₂ 0.05-0.65%, and sulfate (expressed as SO₃) 0.0-0.16%.

Examples 29-62 provide glass compositions (Table 5) by weight percentage wherein the (MgO+CaO) content is 7.81-16.00%, the ratio CaO/MgO is 0.09-1.74%, the (SiO₂+B₂O₃) content is 67.68-81.44%, the ratio Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ is 0.90-1.71%, the (Li₂O+Na₂O+K₂O) content is 0.03-3.38%, and the ratio Li₂O/(Li₂O+Na₂O+K₂O) is 0.00-0.95%.

In terms of mechanical properties, the compositions of Table 5 have a fiber density of 2.331-2.416 g/cm³ and an average fiber tensile strength (or fiber strength) of 3050-3578 MPa.

To measure fiber tensile strength, fiber samples from the glass compositions were produced from a 10 Rh/90 Pt single tip fiber drawing unit. Approximately, 85 grams of cullet of a given composition was fed into the bushing melting unit and conditioned at a temperature close or equal to the 100 Poise melt viscosity for two hours. The melt was subsequently lowered to a temperature close or equal to the 1000 Poise melt viscosity and stabilized for one hour prior to fiber drawing. Fiber diameter was controlled to produce an approximately 10 μm diameter fiber by controlling the speed of the fiber drawing winder. All fiber samples were captured in air without any contact with foreign objects. The fiber drawing was completed in a room with a controlled humidity of between 40 and 45% RH.

Fiber tensile strength was measured using a Kawabata KES-G1 (Kato Tech Co. Ltd., Japan) tensile strength analyzer equipped with a Kawabata type C load cell. Fiber samples were mounted on paper framing strips using a resin adhesive. A tensile force was applied to the fiber until failure, from which the fiber strength was determined based on the fiber diameter and breaking stress. The test was done at room temperature under the controlled humidity between 40-45% RH. The average values and standard deviations were computed based on a sample size of 65-72 fibers for each composition.

The glasses were found to have D_(k) of 4.83-5.67 and D_(f) of 0.003-0.007 at 1 GHz. The electric properties of the compositions in Table 5 illustrate significantly lower (i.e., improved) D_(k) and D_(f) over standard E-glass which has a D_(k) of 7.14 and a D_(f) of 0.0168 at 1 GHz.

In terms of fiber forming properties, the compositions in Table 5 have forming temperatures (T_(F)) of 1247-1439° C. and forming windows (T_(F)−T_(L)) of 53-243° C. The compositions in Table 5 have liquidus temperature (T_(L)) of 1058-1279° C. This can be compared to a standard E-glass which has T_(F) typically in the range 1170-1215° C. To prevent glass devitrification in fiber forming, a forming window (T_(F)−T_(L)) greater than 55° C. is sometimes desirable. All of the compositions in Table 5 exhibit satisfactory forming windows.

TABLE 5 wt % 29 30 31 32 33 SiO₂ 64.24 58.62 57.83 61.00 61.56 Al₂O₃ 11.54 12.90 12.86 12.87 12.82 Fe₂O₃ 0.28 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.32 CaO 1.70 1.04 2.48 2.48 1.08 MgO 11.69 11.63 12.16 9.31 10.69 Na₂O 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 K₂O 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 B₂O₃ 8.96 14.28 13.15 12.81 12.30 F₂ 0.53 0.62 0.61 0.61 0.65 TiO₂ 0.40 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.54 Li₂O 0.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 SO₃ 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 (MgO + CaO) 13.39 12.67 14.64 11.79 11.77 CaO/Mg 0.15 0.09 0.20 0.27 0.10 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.87 0.92 0.83 0.79 0.91 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 73.20 72.90 70.98 73.81 73.86 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 1.29 0.90 0.98 1.00 1.04 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.64 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.94 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 T_(L) (° C.) 1196 1228 1205 1180 1249 T_(F) (° C.) 1331 1300 1258 1334 1332 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 135 72 53 154 83 D_(k) @ 1 GHz 5.26 *** *** 5.30 *** D_(f) @ 1 GHz 0.0017 *** *** 0.001 *** Fiber density (g/cm³) *** *** *** *** *** Fiber strength (MPa) *** *** *** *** *** wt % 34 35 36 37 38 SiO₂ 63.83 65.21 66.70 60.02 53.74 Al₂O₃ 10.97 10.56 10.11 12.32 15.44 Fe₂O₃ 0.26 0.25 0.24 0.29 0.24 CaO 2.38 2.29 2.19 4.01 3.83 MgO 10.64 10.23 9.79 9.95 10.53 Na₂O 0.29 0.28 0.27 0.33 0.09 K₂O 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 B₂O₃ 9.32 8.96 8.57 10.48 13.94 F₂ 1.20 1.16 1.11 1.35 1.48 TiO₂ 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.41 0.65 Li₂O 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.79 0.02 SO₃ 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.16 0.14 Total 100.13 100.13 100.12 100.15 100.13 (MgO + CaO) 13.02 12.52 11.98 13.96 14.36 CaO/MgO 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.40 0.36 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.71 0.73 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 73.15 74.17 75.27 70.50 67.68 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 1.18 1.18 1.18 1.18 1.11 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 1.02 0.98 0.94 1.15 0.14 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.69 0.68 0.68 0.69 0.16 T_(L) (° C.) 1255 1267 1279 1058 1175 T_(F) (° C.) 1313 1320 1333 1266 1247 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 58 53 54 208 72 D_(k) @ 1 GHz *** 5.46 5.43 5.56 5.57 D_(f) @ 1 GHz *** 0.0036 0.0020 0.0025 0.00437 Fiber density (g/cm³) 2.402 2.408 2.352 2.416 *** Fiber strength (MPa) 3310 3354 3369 3413 *** wt % 39 40 41 42 43 SiO₂ 62.54 63.83 65.21 66.70 59.60 Al₂O₃ 11.36 10.97 10.56 10.11 13.52 Fe₂O₃ 0.27 0.26 0.25 0.24 0.33 CaO 2.47 2.38 2.29 2.19 1.80 MgO 11.02 10.64 10.23 9.79 9.77 Na₂O 0.31 0.29 0.28 0.27 0.10 K₂O 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 B₂O₃ 9.65 9.32 8.96 8.57 12.70 F₂ 1.25 1.20 1.16 1.11 1.21 TiO₂ 0.37 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.51 Li₂O 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.41 SO₃ 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.15 Total 100.14 100.13 100.13 100.12 100.14 (MgO + CaO) 13.49 13.02 12.52 11.98 11.57 CaO/MgO 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.18 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.84 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 72.19 73.15 74.17 75.27 72.30 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 1.18 1.18 1.18 1.18 1.06 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 1.07 1.02 0.98 0.94 0.54 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.68 0.76 T_(L) (° C.) 1238 1249 1266 1276 1083 T_(F) (° C.) 1293 1313 1342 1368 1310 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 55 64 76 92 227 D_(k) @ 1 GHz 5.45 5.31 5.39 5.25 5.20 D_(f) @ 1 GHz 0.00531 0.00579 0.00525 0.00491 0.00302 Fiber density (g/cm³) 2.403 *** *** *** *** Fiber strength (MPa) 3467 *** *** *** *** wt % 44 45 46 47 48 SiO₂ 59.90 60.45 62.68 65.30 65.06 Al₂O₃ 13.23 13.06 12.28 11.51 12.58 Fe₂O₃ 0.34 0.35 0.20 0.19 0.25 CaO 1.86 1.58 1.65 1.39 1.25 MgO 10.14 10.50 8.74 8.18 6.56 Na₂O 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.09 0.13 K₂O 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.05 B₂O₃ 12.40 12.29 12.69 11.89 10.03 F₂ 1.26 1.07 1.11 0.94 0.82 TiO₂ 0.53 0.55 0.51 0.48 0.07 Li₂O 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.20 SO₃ 0.15 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.11 Total 100.14 100.15 100.14 100.13 100.10 RO (MgO + CaO) 12.00 12.08 10.39 9.57 7.81 CaO/Mg 0.18 0.15 0.19 0.17 0.19 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.85 0.87 0.84 0.85 0.84 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 72.30 72.74 75.37 77.19 75.09 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 1.07 1.06 0.97 0.97 1.25 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.33 0.13 0.12 0.11 3.38 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.61 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.95 T_(L) (° C.) 1129 1211 1201 1196 *** T_(F) (° C.) 1303 1378 1378 1439 *** T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 174 167 177 243 *** Dk @ 1 GHz 5.24 5.05 4.94 4.83 5.67 Df @ 1 GHz 0.00473 0.00449 0.00508 0.00254 0.007 Fiber density (g/cm³) 2.387 2.385 2.354 2.34 2.345 Fiber strength (MPa) 3483 3362 3166 3050 3578 wt % 49 50 51 52 53 SiO₂ 61.14 60.83 62.45 61.88 66.25 Al₂O₃ 12.90 13.02 12.52 12.72 10.60 Fe₂O₃ 0.27 0.28 0.26 0.28 0.18 CaO 1.72 1.74 1.59 1.63 3.33 MgO 9.25 9.36 8.98 9.13 5.98 Na₂O 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.86 K₂O 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.02 B₂O₃ 12.70 12.70 12.29 12.38 11.44 F₂ 1.16 1.17 1.08 1.10 0.90 TiO₂ 0.51 0.51 0.50 0.50 0.44 Li₂O 0.21 0.25 0.21 0.25 0.00 SO₃ 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.00 Total 100.14 100.14 100.13 100.13 100.00 (MgO + CaO) 10.97 11.10 10.57 10.76 9.31 CaO/Mg 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.56 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.84 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.64 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 73.84 73.53 74.74 74.26 77.69 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 1.02 1.03 1.02 1.03 0.93 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.34 0.38 0.34 0.38 0.88 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.62 0.66 0.62 0.66 0.00 T_(L) (° C.) 1179 1179 1186 1191 *** T_(F) (° C.) 1342 1340 1374 1366 *** T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 163 161 188 175 *** D_(k) @ 1 GHz *** 5.24 4.96 5.06 5.03 D_(f) @ 1 GHz *** 0.0018 0.0015 0.0014 0.0027 Fiber density (g/cm³) 2.358 2.362 2.338 *** 2.331 Fiber strength (MPa) 3545 3530 3234 *** 3161 wt % 54 55 56 57 58 SiO₂ 66.11 69.19 70.68 69.44 69.40 Al₂O₃ 10.58 10.37 8.87 7.20 7.21 Fe₂O₃ 0.18 0.18 0.16 0.13 0.14 CaO 5.31 5.20 5.50 5.57 10.15 MgO 4.20 7.13 7.54 10.39 5.85 Na₂O 0.86 0.55 0.59 0.59 0.59 K₂O 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 B₂O₃ 11.41 6.39 5.72 5.80 5.79 F₂ 0.90 0.53 0.55 0.55 0.55 TiO₂ 0.44 0.43 0.37 0.30 0.30 Li₂O 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 SO₃ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 (MgO + CaO) 9.51 12.33 13.04 15.96 16.00 CaO/Mg 1.26 0.73 0.73 0.54 1.74 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.44 0.58 0.58 0.65 0.37 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 77.52 75.58 76.40 75.24 75.19 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 0.93 1.62 1.55 1.24 1.25 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.88 0.57 0.61 0.61 0.61 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 T_(L) (° C.) *** *** *** *** *** T_(F) (° C.) *** *** *** *** *** T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) *** *** *** *** *** D_(k) @ 1 GHz *** *** *** *** *** D_(f) @ 1 GHz *** *** *** *** *** Fiber density (g/cm³) 2.341 *** *** *** *** Fiber strength (MPa) 3372 *** *** *** *** wt % 59 60 61 62 SiO₂ 69.26 71.45 74.07 76.97 Al₂O₃ 8.72 5.30 7.27 4.63 Fe₂O₃ 0.13 0.06 0.09 0.10 CaO 4.89 5.24 4.88 5.69 MgO 9.92 10.63 4.77 5.56 Na₂O 0.53 0.58 0.73 1.61 K₂O 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.01 B₂O₃ 5.09 4.96 6.39 4.47 F₂ 0.49 0.50 0.66 0.77 TiO₂ 0.27 0.05 0.17 0.19 Li₂O 0.69 1.20 0.95 0.00 SO₃ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 (MgO + CaO) 14.81 15.87 9.65 11.25 CaO/Mg 0.49 0.49 1.02 1.02 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.67 0.67 0.49 0.49 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 74.35 76.41 80.46 81.44 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 1.71 1.07 1.14 1.04 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 1.25 1.80 1.71 1.62 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.55 0.67 0.56 0.00 T_(L) (° C.) *** *** *** *** T_(F) (° C.) 1358/1355 1331/1333 1493/1484 *** T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) *** *** *** *** D_(k) @ 1 GHz *** *** *** *** D_(f) @ 1 GHz *** *** *** *** Fiber density (g/cm³) *** *** *** *** Fiber strength (MPa) *** *** *** ***

Examples 63-73 provide glass compositions (Table 6) by weight percentage: SiO₂ 62.35-68.35%, B₂O₃ 6.72-8.67%, Al₂O₃ 10.53-18.04%, MgO 8.14-11.44%, CaO 1.67-2.12%, Li₂O 1.07-1.38%, Na₂O 0.02%, K₂O 0.03-0.04%, Fe₂O₃ 0.23-0.33%, F₂ 0.49-0.60%, TiO₂ 0.26-0.61%, and sulfate (expressed as SO₃) 0.0%.

Examples 63-73 provide glass compositions (Table 6) by weight percentage wherein the (MgO+CaO) content is 9.81-13.34%, the ratio CaO/MgO is 0.16-0.20, the (SiO₂+B₂O₃) content is 69.59-76.02%, the ratio Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ is 1.37-2.69, the (Li₂O+Na₂O+K₂O) content is 1.09-1.40%, and the ratio Li₂O/(Li₂O+Na₂O+K₂O) is 0.98.

In terms of mechanical properties, the compositions of Table 6 have a fiber density of 2.371-2.407 g/cm³ and an average fiber tensile strength (or fiber strength) of 3730-4076 MPa. The fiber tensile strengths for the fibers made from the compositions of Table 6 were measured in the same way as the fiber tensile strengths measured in connection with the compositions of Table 5.

The fibers formed from the compositions were found to have Young's modulus (E) values ranging from 73.84-81.80 GPa. The Young's modulus (E) values for the fibers were measured using the sonic modulus method on fibers. Elastic modulus values for the fibers drawn from glass melts having the recited compositions were determined using an ultrasonic acoustic pulse technique on a Panatherm 5010 instrument from Panametrics, Inc. of Waltham, Mass. Extensional wave reflection time was obtained using twenty micro-second duration, 200 kHz pulses. The sample length was measured and the respective extensional wave velocity (Y_(E)) was calculated. Fiber density (ρ) was measured using a Micromeritics AccuPyc 1330 pycnometer. In general, 20 measurements were made for each composition and the average Young's modulus (E) was calculated according to the formula E=V_(E) ²*ρ. The fiber failure strain was calculated using Hooke's Law based on the known fiber strength and Young's modulus values.

The glasses were found to have D_(k) of 5.20-5.54 and D_(f) of 0.0010-0.0020 at 1 GHz. The electric properties of the compositions in Table 6 illustrate significantly lower (i.e., improved) D_(k) and D_(f) over standard E-glass with D_(k) of 7.14 and D_(f) of 0.0168 at 1 GHz.

In terms of fiber forming properties, the compositions in Table 6 have forming temperatures (T_(F)) of 1303-1388° C. and forming windows (T_(F)−T_(L)) of 51-144° C.

TABLE 6 wt % 63 64 65 66 67 SiO₂ 64.25 65.35 66.38 67.35 68.35 Al₂O₃ 11.88 11.52 11.18 10.86 10.53 Fe₂O₃ 0.26 0.25 0.24 0.24 0.23 CaO 2.12 2.05 1.99 1.93 1.87 MgO 10.50 10.17 9.87 9.58 9.29 Na₂O 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 K₂O 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 B₂O₃ 8.67 8.40 8.15 7.91 7.67 F₂ 0.60 0.58 0.56 0.54 0.53 TiO₂ 0.30 0.29 0.28 0.27 0.26 Li₂O 1.38 1.33 1.29 1.26 1.22 SO₃ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 (MgO + CaO) 12.61 12.22 11.86 11.51 11.16 CaO/MgO 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 72.92 73.75 74.53 75.26 76.02 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 1.37 1.37 1.37 1.37 1.37 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 1.40 1.36 1.32 1.28 1.24 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 T_(L) (° C.) 1241 1259 1266 1268 1287 T_(F) (° C.) 1306 1329 1349 1374 1388 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 65 70 83 106 101 D_(k) @ 1 GHz 5.44 5.35 5.29 5.31 5.2 D_(f) @ 1 GHz 0.0013 0.0016 0.001 0.002 0.0013 Fiber density (g/cm³) 2.395 2.385 2.384 2.375 2.371 Fiber strength (MPa) 3730 3759 3813 3743 3738 Young's Modulus (GPa) *** *** *** 74.25 *** Fiber failure strain (%) *** *** *** 5.04 *** wt % 68 69 70 71 72 73 SiO₂ 64.39 63.63 62.87 65.45 65.61 62.35 Al₂O₃ 14.05 16.04 18.04 11.05 14.29 14.74 Fe₂O₃ 0.28 0.30 0.33 0.24 0.28 0.29 CaO 1.90 1.79 1.67 1.91 1.77 1.79 MgO 9.39 8.77 8.14 11.44 8.72 11.37 Na₂O 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 K₂O 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.04 B₂O₃ 7.75 7.23 6.72 7.80 7.19 7.28 F₂ 0.54 0.51 0.49 0.54 0.51 0.51 TiO₂ 0.41 0.51 0.61 0.28 0.43 0.45 Li₂O 1.23 1.15 1.07 1.24 1.14 1.16 SO₃ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 (MgO + CaO) 11.29 10.55 9.81 13.34 10.49 13.16 CaO/MgO 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.17 0.20 0.16 MgO/(MgO + CaO) 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.86 0.83 0.86 SiO₂ + B₂O₃ 72.14 70.87 69.59 73.25 72.80 69.63 Al₂O₃/B₂O₃ 1.81 2.22 2.69 1.42 1.99 2.02 (Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 1.25 1.17 1.09 1.26 1.16 1.18 Li₂O/(Li₂O + Na₂O + K₂O) 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 T_(L) (° C.) 1231 1219 1236 1266 1235 1220 T_(F) (° C.) 1349 1362 1368 1317 1379 1303 T_(F) − T_(L) (° C.) 118 143 132 51 144 83 D_(k) @ 1 GHz 5.4 5.38 5.39 5.54 5.52 5.58 D_(f) @ 1 GHz 0.0016 0.0013 0.002 0.0015 0.0016 0.0015 Fiber density (g/cm³⁾ 2.393 2.398 2.407 *** *** *** Fiber strength (MPa) 3954 3977 4076 *** *** *** Young's Modulus (GPa) 73.84 80.34 81.57 80.69 81.80 *** Fiber failure strain (%) 5.36 4.95 5.00 4.68 4.72 ***

It is to be understood that the present description illustrates aspects of the invention relevant to a clear understanding of the invention. Certain aspects of the invention that would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and that, therefore, would not facilitate a better understanding of the invention have not been presented in order to simplify the present description. Although the present invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A glass composition suitable for fiber forming comprising: SiO₂ 60-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 7-13 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 8.4-16 weight percent; MgO 6-15 weight percent; CaO 0-5 weight percent; Li₂O 0-2 weight percent; Na₂O 0-1 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-1 weight percent; TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent; and other constituents 0-5 weight percent total.


2. The composition of claim 1, comprising: SiO₂ 62-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 7-9 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 10-15 weight percent; and MgO 8-12 weight percent.


3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the Li₂O content is 1-2 weight percent.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the MgO content is greater than 8 weight percent.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the CaO content is 0-3 weight percent.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the CaO content is at least 1 weight percent.
 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the TiO₂ content is 0-1 weight percent.
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the B₂O₃ content is 7-11 weight percent.
 9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the B₂O₃ content is 7-9 weight percent.
 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the Al₂O₃ content is 9-15 weight percent.
 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the Al₂O₃ content is 10-15 weight percent.
 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the SiO₂ content is greater than about 62 weight percent.
 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 6.7 at 1 MHz frequency.
 14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 6 at 1 MHz frequency.
 15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 5.6 at 1 MHz frequency.
 16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 5.2 at 1 MHz frequency.
 17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 5.0 at 1 MHz frequency.
 18. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dissipation factor (Df) less than 0.007 at 1 GHz frequency.
 19. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dissipation factor (Df) less than 0.003 at 1 GHz frequency.
 20. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1370° C.
 21. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1320° C.
 22. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1300° C.
 23. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1290° C.
 24. The composition of claim 1, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1260° C.
 25. The composition of claim 24, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a liquidus temperature (T_(L)) at least 55° C. below the forming temperature.
 26. The composition of claim 1, wherein the Li₂O content is 0.4-2.0 weight percent.
 27. The composition of claim 1, wherein the Li₂O content is greater than the (Na₂O+K₂O) content.
 28. The composition of claim 1, wherein the (Li₂O +Na₂O+K₂O) content is less than 2 weight percent.
 29. The composition of claim 1, the composition contains 0-1 weight percent of BaO and 0-2 weight percent ZnO.
 30. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition contains essentially no BaO and essentially no ZnO.
 31. The composition of claim 1, wherein other constituents, if any, are present in a total amount of 0-2 weight percent.
 32. The composition of claim 1, wherein other constituents, if any, are present in a total amount of 0-1 weight percent.
 33. A glass composition suitable for fiber forming comprising: SiO₂ 60-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 7-11 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 8.4-16 weight percent; MgO 6-15 weight percent; CaO 0-5 weight percent; Li₂O 0-2 weight percent; Na₂O 0-1 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-1 weight percent; TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent; and other constituents 0-5 weight percent total.


34. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 6.7 at 1 MHz frequency.
 35. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 6 at 1 MHz frequency.
 36. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 5.6 at 1 MHz frequency.
 37. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 5.2 at 1 MHz frequency.
 38. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 5.0 at 1 MHz frequency.
 39. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dissipation factor (Df) less than 0.007 at 1 GHz frequency.
 40. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a glass having a dissipation factor (Df) less than 0.003 at 1 GHz frequency.
 41. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1370° C.
 42. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1320° C.
 43. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1300° C.
 44. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1290° C.
 45. The composition of claim 33, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a forming temperature T_(F) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1260° C.
 46. The composition of claim 45, wherein the constituents are selected to provide a liquidus temperature (T_(L)) at least 55° C. below the forming temperature.
 47. The composition of claim 33, wherein the Li₂O content is 0.4-2.0 weight percent.
 48. The composition of claim 33, wherein the Li₂O content is greater than the (Na₂O+K₂O) content.
 49. The composition of claim 33, wherein the (Li₂O +Na₂O,+K₂O) content is less than 2 weight percent.
 50. A glass composition suitable for fiber forming comprising: SiO₂ 60-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ 7-10 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 10-16 weight percent; MgO 8-12 weight percent; CaO 0-4 weight percent; Li₂O 0-2 weight percent; Na₂O 0-1 weight percent; K₂O 0-1 weight percent; Fe₂O₃ 0-1 weight percent; F₂ 0-1 weight percent; TiO₂ 0-2 weight percent; and other constituents 0-5 weight percent total.


51. A glass composition suitable for fiber forming comprising: SiO₂ 62-68 weight percent; B₂O₃ less than about 9 weight percent; Al₂O₃ 10-16 weight percent; MgO 8-12 weight percent; and CaO 0-4 weight percent;

wherein the glass exhibits a dielectric constant (D_(k)) less than 6.7 at 1 MHz frequency and a forming temperature (T_(F)) at 1000 poise viscosity no greater than 1370° C. 